Description

IFC—a member of the World Bank Group—is the largest global development institution focused on the private sector in emerging markets. We work in more than 100 countries, using our capital, expertise, and influence to create markets and opportunities in developing countries. In fiscal year 2022, IFC committed a record $32.8 billion to private companies and financial institutions in developing countries, leveraging the power of the private sector to end extreme poverty and boost shared prosperity as economies grapple with the impacts of global compounding crises. For more information, visit www.ifc.org

IFC’s Corporate Support Vice Presidency is responsible for communications, outreach, and partnerships, alongside other core functions including HR, budget, and IT. The Vice Presidency supports the implementation of IFC’s business strategy for effective delivery of our programs to clients and partners, in close collaboration with relevant counterparts across the World Bank Group.

The Communications and Outreach Department is responsible for managing IFC’s communications and outreach strategy with a focus on the Corporation’s business priorities, including cross cutting themes. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

The Senior Communications Officer will be the Head of Messaging / Corporate Editor in the Corporate Communications function. They will be responsible for developing and implementing best-in-class editorial standards in corporate and news products for IFC. They will oversee the drafting and production of high-profile corporate communications content, including the IFC Annual Report, and will write op-eds and speeches, as needed, for senior management, among other products. The Head of Messaging / Corporate Editor is responsible for IFC’s Style Guide, helping to ensure that written content is produced at the highest level of quality and tailored to specific audiences and stakeholders. The position reports to the Corporate Communications manager in Washington, D.C.

Key duties:

1. Develop and refine corporate messages to support IFC’s mission and strategy.

• Develop a corporate narrative for IFC, summarizing its mission and strategy, and building off key documents including the Strategic & Business Outlook; to be used by the Communications and Outreach (CCO) department for positioning IFC to both internal and external audiences. 

2. Serve as the lead focal point and resource within Communications and Outreach for messaging content and expertise.

• Convene messaging workshops for IFC communications to help them develop concise, effective messages that link to corporate priorities and appeal to the media and target stakeholders.
• Organize presentations by outside experts on best messaging practices.
• Deliver monthly Management Team Messages with talking points that anticipate and provide for current topics for IFC. 
• Produce Strategic Issues Briefs for the Annual and Spring Meetings.
• Working with Media, Risk and Internal Engagement teams, contribute to holding statements and other messaging products in response to fast-moving and unexpected messaging opportunities.
• Review messaging of media briefs for key events/engagements.
• Work with Internal Engagement team to refine internal messaging such as HR communications to staff.
• Build out and maintain IFC Message Hub, providing guidance to regional and industry teams on which messages to prioritize and how to craft effective messages.
• Liaise with World Bank messaging colleagues to coordinate message alignment and ensure WBG messaging includes a private-sector element when necessary.

3. Manage the drafting and production of IFC’s Annual Report, which requires liaising with senior management and communications leaders from the conceptual stage to dissemination of the final report.

• Oversee Annual Report from the outline to final production, coordinating a team of writers, editors and web producers to produce the flagship publication.
• Manage relationship with design and printing firms, as well as freelancers, required to produce the Annual Report.
• Source content and photos for the Annual Report, working with IFC’s Creative Productions team to commission visuals and other content in the field.
• Write and edit content featured in the report, including section summaries and project highlights.
• Coordinate the editorial calendar for the Annual Report with the WB; including liaising with ECR, EXC and SEC for the relevant inputs and approvals. 

4. Deliver high-quality thought-leadership content.

• Produce editorial content, including op-eds, blogs, social-media posts and feature stories, that reinforces IFC’s position as a thought leader in private sector development, with an emphasis on content for the Management Team.
• Work closely with IFC’s Publications team to ensure that messaging from key analytical reports is aligned with our corporate strategy and editorial guidelines. 

Selection Criteria

• A Master’s degree in Political or Social Sciences, Economics, Business Administration, International Relations/Public Affairs, Journalism, Languages or other relevant field, with a minimum of eight years of relevant work. experience with a focus on multilateral organizations, development, and/or international financial institutions;
• Proven track record of senior-level editorial work with both print and online communications, including reports, publications, press releases, leadership communications and speeches, opinion-editorials, and blogs;
• Strong knowledge and extensive experience working with AP Style and other prominent English-language style guides;
• Proven planning and organizational skills and ability to think strategically;
• Proven ability to work both independently and in diverse teams in a multicultural setting with strong attention to detail and minimal supervision;
• Demonstrated capacity to work confidently with senior-level managers/C-suite executives; 
• Experience in supervising staff;
• Strong interest in development issues and multilateral cooperation/negotiation, with the ability to disseminate information effectively and strategically, and strong capacity to think and act strategically;
• Ability to effectively interact with internal and external clients at all levels, and to exercise judgment, tact and discretion in dealing with sensitive and/or confidential matters;
• Demonstrates ability and the necessary organization skills to take initiative, personal ownership, and accountability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and achieve agreed-upon results; 
• Excellent oral, written communication and presentation skills, including proficiency to write and edit complex subject material for purposeful structure, clarity of ideas, and logical, persuasive presentation;
• Familiarity with communications approaches, tools, and methodologies;
• Ability to collaborate with other team members and contribute productively to the team’s work and output, demonstrating respect for different points of view.
• Ability to analyze facts and data to support sound, logical decisions. 

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.